We're happy you like the site! I got the LED's at superbrightleds.com, but since then West Marine has begun stocking a much larger selection at similar prices, so we have started to use them. We were even able to find the screw in lamps for the four reading lights over the settees at WM. I'm sure there are other sources but I haven't stumbled on them yet.

i used marinebeam.com for my bulb replacements. there priceing seem to be good. did all the lights inside my boat and 4 reading light. have not done the running lights yet . i have a 37 psc . hope this will help howard

Followup, based on your collective help (and a little research that confirmed your advice) we ordered the following to reduce power consumption:

1. Replacement LED brass dome lights from marineengine.com. They have both red and white switches $325.23
2. 2 x 10-LED SMD Power Cluster Back Pin X-Beam bulb replacements for my halogen reading lamps from marinebeam.com $37.50
3. Four replacement brass-looking Victory Xenon reading light fixtures to replace the older bulb reading light fitures $212.14. These also have the G-4 halogen bulbs, I will replace these after I see how the marinebeam LEDs work.

Looking into a solar panel to supplement and charge our house battery now. Trying to see if we can surive with a starter, deep cycle and a deep cycle spare. Fingers crossed.

If you plan to have a deep cycle spare, you might want to read Nigel Calder on batteries - he contends it's better to combine all of your batteries (except the starter) into one house bank. It's easier on the batteries and simpler to operate. We used a Blue Sea Add-A-Battery switch to parallel the house and starter batteries when a charging source is present or when the combine function is selected.
By the way, the Calder reference is the Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual - highly recommended if you work on your own boat.

Hi there, we have two group 31 FDC's paralleled, with an echo charge connected to a Group 27 start battery. These are stored in a battery box in the port cockpit locker. Charging is via a Kyocera 130, mounted on the old radar platform above the bimini, and controlled by a Genasun MPPT controller. The platform is a little under-built for the big panel, but works well enough for now.

We also have a Powerline 70A alternator, connected to a Balmar AR5 charge controller, installed by PO.

Our electrical use is very modest, with some interior LED's, no refrigerator, etc. Sailing all night is my biggest problem, as 5" chartplotter, AIS, VHF, autopilot, and running lights use a lot of power. Just changing the running lights would make a big difference, haven't come across an affordable, quality unit yet, and we're on a very tight budget.

We installed the lights mentioned in the previous post. Following are our experiences:
1. Replacement LED brass dome lights from marineengine.com: These look very nice and give off a nice bright light. My kids love the red option, my wife likes the quality of the white light. The wiring in these lights was not as robust as the wiring in the original fixtures... made in China...
2. SMD Power Cluster Back Pin X-Beam bulb replacements for my halogen reading lamps from marinebeam.com: These give off light similar to old fashioned light bulbs. A little more yellow than the dome lights, a little warmer. They plugged into the halogen lamp fitting with no problem. High quality product.
3. Four replacement brass-looking Victory Xenon reading light fixtures: nice looking, quality seems better than original lamps. My only gripe was that I only found out after ordering that they we not in stock so they took longer to arrive.

We have also purchased a Solarland 85W solar panel and a Morningstar solar controller from emarine.com to help keep our batteries topped up. I plan to fabricate an adjustable stern rail mount for it.

Have not got around to checking out Calder's book regarding the spare marine battery. I have the book, need to dig it out and read that section. Thanks for the advice, Sam.

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